JP4119546B2 - Coin dispensing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for paying out substitute coins (hereinafter simply referred to as “coins”) used in game machines such as coins and slot machines.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Recently, for example, game machines using coins have been installed in game hall facilities such as pachinko halls and game centers. In these game machines, a coin transport system is constructed that connects each game machine to a coin cleaning device, a lending machine, a counter, and the like. The coins released by the player at each game device are put into the counter and supplied again to the cleaning device, the lending machine, and each game device by a conveyor or the like. The counting machine, the washing device, and the like are provided with a hopper for receiving coins, and the coins inserted into the hopper are dropped and conveyed to a conveyor or the like through an outlet formed below the hopper.
[0003]
Usually, the hopper is widened to make it easier to receive coins, and the lower part of the hopper is gradually narrowed toward the outlet. For this reason, a phenomenon called so-called bridge is likely to occur, especially when coins are pressed against each other under the hopper. When the bridge is generated, the coins that are jammed block the exit, and the coins cannot be discharged, and the smooth conveyance of the coins in the game hall facility is hindered.
[0004]
Therefore, conventionally, various means have been taken to break the bridge generated in the hopper. As an example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-229390 discloses means for movably configuring the inner wall of the hopper or providing a stirring plate. According to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-229390, the clogging of coins can be forcibly broken by applying an external force to the bridge by appropriately moving the inner wall of the hopper or rotating the stirring plate.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, all of the conventional bridge prevention means have a considerably complicated structure, which increases the cost of the apparatus. For example, in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-229390, a drive motor for rotating the inner wall of the hopper or rotating the stirring plate is required, and the apparatus cost and running cost are considerably increased. Further, when the apparatus becomes complicated, maintenance becomes complicated.
[0006]
In addition, the conventional means for preventing bridges do not prevent the occurrence of bridging, but most of them break down only when a bridging occurs in the hopper. The amount may not be stable. In other words, the conventional means for preventing bridges cannot discharge coins when a bridge occurs, while coins that have been stored in the hopper are immediately discharged immediately after the bridge is collapsed. The amount of coins to be transferred decreases or increases, and the amount of coins that are transferred from the hopper to the conveyor or the like may be unstable. Further, in order to receive coins discharged from the hopper at once, the structure of a conveyor or the like has to be strengthened, which causes a further increase in apparatus cost.
[0007]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a payout device that can prevent the occurrence of a bridge with a simple configuration and can stably discharge a substantially constant amount of coins.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve this object, according to the present invention , a roller is disposed in an opening formed below a hopper into which coins or the like are inserted, and is formed in a gap between the lower edge of the vertical surface of the inner wall of the hopper and the peripheral surface of the roller. A payout device configured to pay out coins or the like from the exits by rotation of a roller , wherein the rotation direction of the rollers is a rotation direction of paying out coins or the like toward the exit, and a peripheral surface of the rollers Forming a protrusion abutting on a peripheral surface of a coin or the like to stand and rotate on the roller on the vertical surface forming the outlet between the protrusion and the protrusion on the roller. There is provided a payout device for coins or the like that is formed at a position that is substantially the same as the center of a coin or the like that is about to rotate and is below the center of the coin or the like.
[0009]
In this payout device, coins and the like thrown into the hopper fall inside the hopper and come into contact with the peripheral surface of a roller disposed below the hopper. Next, coins and the like are paid out from an outlet formed in a gap between the lower edge of the inner wall surface of the hopper and the circumferential surface of the roller by the rotation of the roller. In this case, the postures of the coins and the like thrown into the hopper are various, and coins and the like that are tilted sideways, coins that are supplied in a posture standing on the roller, and the like are mixed. Coins, etc. in a lying position are smoothly paid out from the outlet by the rotation of the roller when the front and back surfaces come into contact with the peripheral surface of the roller. The rotation continues in a state straddling between the peripheral surface and the inner wall surface of the hopper, and is not discharged from the outlet but stays in the hopper, blocking the outlet and preventing other coins and the like from being discharged.
[0010]
However, according to this payout device, the protrusion formed on the inner wall surface of the hopper was in contact with the peripheral surface of the coin or the like that would continue to rotate while standing on the roller. The posture of coins etc. is disturbed, and eventually falls down sideways. The coins and the like that have fallen to the side in this way are paid out from the outlet by the rotation of the roller when the front and back surfaces come into contact with the peripheral surface of the roller.
[0011]
According to the this dispenser, by defeating coins to try to continue the rotation standing on a roller beside the projection, it is possible to smoothly paid out from the exit was standing on a roller Coin There is no worry that the exit will be blocked by such as For this reason, it is possible to continuously pay out coins and the like, and it is possible to stably pay out an almost constant amount of coins at all times.
[0012]
According to this payout device, it is possible to reliably bring the protrusions into contact with the circumferential surface of the coin or the like that is standing on the roller and continue to rotate, so that the coin or the like can be efficiently tilted sideways.
[0013]
According to the present invention , a roller is disposed in an opening formed below a hopper into which coins or the like are inserted, and the coin is rotated by rotation of the roller from an outlet formed in a gap between the lower edge of the inner wall surface of the hopper and the roller peripheral surface. A payout device configured to pay out coins and the like, wherein a notch for dropping a coin to be rotated while standing on the roller is formed at an end of the outlet. Is provided.
[0014]
According to this payout device, a coin or the like that tries to continue to rotate while standing on the roller is formed in the hopper by forming a notch at the end of the exit, in which coins or the like are likely to stand on the roller. Can be dropped from. For this reason, in the same manner, the payout device according to claim 3 does not have to worry about the exit being blocked by coins or the like standing on the roller, and enables continuous and stable payout of coins and the like.
[0015]
In these dispenser may be supported to float the hopper relative to the roller. Then, when passing through the outlet, the force of coins or the like trying to push up the lower edge of the inner wall surface of the hopper can be released, and damage to the roller and the hopper can be prevented.
[0016]
Moreover, you may arrange | position an elastic material in the surrounding surface of the said roller. In this case, the elastic material preferably has a large frictional resistance, and may be, for example, EPT, sponge, rubber or the like. By arranging these on the peripheral surface of the roller, the coins can be smoothly paid out from the outlet by the rotation of the roller, and the coins etc. are forced to push up the lower edge of the inner wall surface of the hopper when passing through the outlet. Can also be absorbed.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described based on a coin payout device. FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a dispensing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the side, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the same dispensing device 1 as viewed from the front.
[0018]
A hopper 12 is inserted from above into an opening 11 formed in the upper surface 10 a of the casing 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the hopper 12 includes three vertical surfaces 13, 14, 15 and one inclined surface 16, and openings 17, 18 are formed above and below the hopper 12. The upper opening 17 is wider than the lower opening 18 and facilitates the insertion of the coin C into the hopper 12.
[0019]
A flange 20 is formed around the upper opening 17, and when the hopper 12 is inserted into the opening 11 of the upper surface 10a of the casing 10 from above as shown in FIGS. The hopper 12 is supported by engaging the upper surface 10 a of the casing 10. Therefore, when a pushing force is applied to the hopper 12 as will be described later, the flange 20 moves upward from the upper surface 10a of the casing 10 and the entire hopper 12 ascends as indicated by a one-dotted line in FIGS. It is like that.
[0020]
A roller 21 is disposed in the opening 18 formed below. The roller 21 is in a state in which the upper half portion thereof enters the hopper 12 through the opening 18. The length of the roller 21 is substantially equal to the length of the opening 18 (the distance between the vertical surface 13 and the vertical surface 15). On the other hand, the circumferential surface of the roller 21 and the lower edge of the inclined surface 16 have almost no gap, but the coin C is discharged from the hopper 12 into the gap between the circumferential surface of the roller 21 and the lower edge of the vertical surface 14. An outlet 22 is formed. The width L of the outlet 22 is sufficiently wider than the thickness of the coin C. For example, the width L of the outlet 22 is about 10 mm for a coin C having a thickness of 1.7 mm.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 4, an elastic material 23 is disposed on the peripheral surface of the roller 21. The elastic material 23 preferably has a high frictional resistance, such as EPT, sponge, or rubber. As shown in FIG. 2, the support shaft 25 of the roller 21 is rotatably supported inside the casing 10, and a pulley 26 attached to the support shaft 25 and a drive shaft 28 of a motor 27 disposed below. An endless belt 30 is wound around a pulley 29 attached to the belt. Accordingly, the roller 21 rotates in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1 according to the operation of the motor 27. And the coin C thrown in into the hopper 12 through the opening part 17 is collected below the hopper 12 along the inclined surface 16, and then paid out to the outside of the hopper 12 from the outlet 22 as the roller 21 rotates. It has become.
[0022]
A protrusion 32 is formed below the vertical surface 14. In this embodiment, substantially hemispherical protrusions 32 are formed at four locations slightly above the lower edge of the vertical surface 14 and stand on the roller 21 in the hopper 12 as will be described later. The protrusion 32 is configured to abut on the peripheral surface of the coin C to be rotated. As shown in FIG. 5, the protrusion 32 of this embodiment is disposed at a position slightly below the center O of the coin C that is standing on the roller 21 and is about to rotate. On the other hand, it abuts in a direction that pushes up slightly from below.
[0023]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a conveyor belt 37 wound around a driving roller 35 and a driven roller 36 is disposed below the hopper 12, and the conveyor belt 37 is rotated in accordance with the rotation of the driving roller 35 in FIG. In the clockwise direction. One end of the conveyor belt 37 is disposed so as to come out from an opening 38 formed on the side surface of the casing 10.
[0024]
A guide plate 40 is arranged between the lower side of the hopper 12 and the conveyor belt 37, and the coin C paid out from the outlet 22 of the hopper 12 by the rotation of the roller 21 is guided by the guide plate 40. Thus, it can be smoothly delivered onto the conveyor belt 37. Then, the coins C transferred on the conveyor belt 37 are conveyed according to the circumferential movement of the conveyor belt 37 described above, and are carried out from the opening 38 to the outside.
[0025]
Now, in the payout device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the coin C thrown into the hopper 12 from the opening 17 falls in the hopper 12 and moves along the inclined surface 16. They are collected below the hopper 12 and come into contact with the circumferential surface of the roller 21, and are discharged from the outlet 22 by the rotation of the roller 21.
[0026]
Here, the postures of the coins C inserted into the hopper 12 are various, and coins C lying in a sideways manner, coins C supplied in a posture standing on the roller 21 and the like are mixed. In this case, when the coin C in the lying position is brought into contact with the peripheral surface of the roller 21, the coin C can be smoothly paid out from the outlet 22 by the rotation of the roller 21 as shown in FIGS. it can.
[0027]
However, as shown in FIG. 6, the coin C supplied in a posture standing on the roller 21 continues to rotate while straddling between the peripheral surface of the roller 21 and the vertical surface 14, and is successfully discharged from the outlet 22. Instead, it stays in the hopper 12. In particular, at the end portion of the exit 22, the coin C is prevented from falling by the vertical surface 13 or the vertical surface 15, so that the coin C tends to stand on the roller 21. In this case, if the coin C standing on the roller 21 is left as it is, a large number of coins C accumulate one after another in a posture standing on the roller 21, and eventually the entire outlet 22 is moved to the roller 21. It is blocked by a large number of coins C standing on the top, and the other coins C are prevented from being discharged.
[0028]
However, according to the payout device 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the protrusions formed on the vertical surface 14 on the circumferential surface of the coin C that tries to keep rotating on the roller 21 as shown in FIG. 32 comes into contact, and the coin C standing on the roller 21 is pushed upward or away from the vertical surface 14 by the protrusion 32, and the vertically standing posture is disturbed. Since the standing posture of the coin C is disturbed as described above, a gap 45 is formed between the coins C that are in close contact with each other on the roller 21 as shown in FIG. 8, and further, as shown in FIG. As another coin C enters the gap 45 one after another by the rotation of the roller 21 or the inclination of the inclined surface 16, the coin C standing on the roller 21 will eventually fall down sideways. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the coin C that has fallen sideways in this manner is smoothly paid out from the outlet 22 by the rotation of the roller 21 by bringing the front and back surfaces into contact with the peripheral surface of the roller 21. Become.
[0029]
Since the elastic material 23 such as EPT is disposed on the peripheral surface of the roller 21, the coin C is moved toward the outlet 22 by friction by bringing the front and back surfaces of the coin C into contact with the peripheral surface of the roller 21 in this way. It becomes possible to pay out smoothly. In this case, when a plurality of coins C are stacked on the circumferential surface of the roller 21, when passing through the outlet 22, the coin C hits the lower edge of the vertical surface 14 to push up the entire hopper 12. There are concerns to join. However, according to the dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, as described above, the flange 20 is engaged with the upper surface 10a of the casing 10 from above to support the hopper 12, so that the force to push up is applied. , Can be escaped by floating the entire hopper 12. Further, according to the dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, since the elastic material 23 such as EPT is disposed on the peripheral surface of the roller 21, the force applied to the lower edge of the vertical surface 14 of the hopper 12 is applied to the elastic material. It can also be mitigated by the absorption of 23. For this reason, there is no fear that an excessive load is applied to the roller 21 and the hopper 12, etc., and damage or clogging of the coin C at the outlet 22 can be prevented, thereby enabling smoother payout. In order to absorb the force by the elastic material 23, for example, the elastic material 23 is preferably an EPT sponge having a urethane hardness of about 20-30.
[0030]
The coin C paid out from the outlet 22 of the hopper 12 by the rotation of the roller 21 is smoothly transferred onto the conveyor belt 37 by being guided by the guide plate 40, and conveyed according to the circumferential movement of the conveyor belt 37. Then, it is carried out of the casing 10 through the opening 38.
[0031]
Therefore, according to the payout device 1 of this embodiment, the coin C which is standing on the roller 21 and continues to rotate is tilted sideways by the protrusion 32 to prevent the bridge in the hopper 12 from occurring. The coin C can be smoothly paid out from the outlet 22, and there is no fear that the outlet 22 is blocked by the coin C standing on the roller 21. For this reason, it is possible to continuously pay out coins C, and it is possible to stably pay out coins C of a substantially constant amount at all times. Further, since the change in the amount of coin C discharged is small, the structure of the conveyor belt 37 or the like does not need to be strengthened more than necessary, and the apparatus cost can be reduced.
[0032]
In this embodiment, the example in which the protrusions 32 are formed at four locations on the vertical surface 14 has been described. However, the number of the protrusions 32 is arbitrary, and may be three or less or five or more. Further, the example in which the protrusion 32 is disposed at a position slightly below the center O of the coin C standing on the roller 21 has been described. However, the position of the protrusion 32 is not limited to this, and the roller 21 in the hopper 12 is disposed. Any position can be used as long as it can contact the circumferential surface of the coin C to be rotated. In this case, it is preferable that the protrusion 32 is formed at the same height as the center O of the coin C standing on the roller 21 or at a position below the center O of the coin C. If it does so, it will become possible to make the protrusion 32 contact | abut to the peripheral surface of the coin C standing on the roller 21 and to continue rotation, and to lay down the coin C sideways efficiently. Further, the shape of the protrusion 32 is not limited to a semispherical shape, and any shape that can disturb the posture of the coin C by abutting on the peripheral surface of the coin C may be used. In addition, when making the shape of the protrusion 32 into a semicircle, for example, a head such as a truss screw can be used.
[0033]
Next, the hopper 50 shown in FIG. 10 includes three vertical surfaces 51, 52, 53 and one inclined surface 54, and openings 55, 56 are formed above and below the hopper 50. The upper opening 55 is wider than the lower opening 56, and a flange 57 is formed around the upper opening 55. In the hopper 50, a notch 60 having a size that allows the coin C to pass is formed at the lower edge of the vertical surface 52.
[0034]
If the hopper 50 is used in place of the hopper 12 in the dispensing device 1 described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the notch 60 formed at the lower edge of the vertical surface 52 is positioned at the end of the outlet 22. It becomes like this. Therefore, according to the payout device 1 using the hopper 50 of FIG. 10, the notch 60 is present at the end of the outlet 22 where the coin C is likely to stand on the roller 21 as shown in FIG. As described above, the coin C supplied in a standing posture at the end of the roller 21 can be dropped from the hopper 50 immediately after passing through the notch 60. For this reason, the coin C can be continuously and stably paid out as described above.
[0035]
The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described here, and can be appropriately modified within the scope that can be conceived by those skilled in the art. For example, the payout device of the present invention is not limited to substitute coins used in amusement hall facilities such as pachinko halls and game centers, but also to actual coins (coins) and coins having a similar shape (for example, medals). It is possible to apply. Further, the width L of the outlet 22 is not limited to about 10 mm, and can be appropriately changed according to the carry-out ability of the conveyor belt 37 and the like. Increasing the width L increases the amount of coin C discharged, and conversely narrowing the width L decreases the amount of coin C discharged. In this way, the amount of coin C discharged can be adjusted by the width L of the outlet 22. In addition, the amount of coin C discharged can be adjusted by changing the length of the outlet 22 (distance between the vertical surfaces 13 and 51 and the vertical surfaces 15 and 53) and the rotation speed of the roller 21. Further, the protrusion 32 provided on the hopper 12 shown in FIG. 2 and the notch 60 provided on the hopper 50 shown in FIG. 10 are not selective, and both the protrusion and the notch are provided on one hopper. Also good.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of bridging in the hopper before the protrusion is formed on the inner wall surface of the hopper. Therefore, it is possible to continuously pay out coins and the like, and it is always possible to stably pay out a substantially constant amount of coins and the like.
[0037]
In addition, it is possible to efficiently lay down a coin or the like that stands on the roller and continues to rotate.
[0038]
According to the invention of claim 2 , it is possible to drop a coin or the like that tries to keep rotating while standing on the roller, particularly at the end of the exit where the coin or the like tends to stand on the roller. it can. Therefore, as in the first aspect, stable payout of coins and the like can be continuously performed.
[0039]
According to invention of Claim 3 , the force in which a coin etc. push up the lower edge of an inner wall surface of a hopper can be escaped, and damage to a roller, a hopper, etc. can be prevented.
[0040]
According to the invention of claim 4 , coins and the like can be paid out smoothly from the outlet, and damage to the rollers and hoppers can be prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the side.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing device according to the embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a hopper having protrusions formed on an inner wall surface.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a roller.
FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view for explaining the positions of protrusions formed on the inner wall surface of the hopper.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view for explaining a state in which a coin continues to rotate while straddling between a peripheral surface and a vertical surface of a roller.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a state where a coin standing on a roller is pressed by a protrusion as viewed from the side.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which a gap is generated between coins that are in close contact with each other on a roller.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram viewed from above of a state in which another coin enters the gap.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a hopper in which a notch is formed at the end of the outlet.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a state in which a coin supplied in a posture standing on a roller falls from a notch.
[Explanation of symbols]
C Coin 1 Dispensing device 10 Casing 12 Hopper 20 Flange 21 Roller 22 Exit 27 Motor 32 Protrusion 37 Conveyor belt 40 Guide plate 50 Hopper 60 Notch

Claims (4)

A roller is arranged in an opening formed below the hopper into which coins are inserted, and coins are paid out by rotation of the roller from an outlet formed in a gap between the lower edge of the vertical surface of the inner wall of the hopper and the peripheral surface of the roller. A payout device configured in
The rotation direction of the roller is the rotation direction for paying out coins toward the exit,
On the vertical surface that forms the outlet with the peripheral surface of the roller, a protrusion that abuts on the peripheral surface of a coin or the like that tries to rotate while standing on the roller is formed,
A coin dispensing device in which the protrusion is formed at a position substantially the same as the center of the coin or the like to be rotated while standing on the roller, or at a position lower than the center of the coin or the like. A roller is placed in the opening formed below the hopper where coins are inserted, and coins are dispensed by rotating the roller from the exit formed in the gap between the lower edge of the inner wall surface of the hopper and the roller peripheral surface. Disbursement device,
  A payout device for coins or the like, wherein a notch for dropping coins or the like to be rotated while standing on the roller is formed at an end of the outlet. The payout device for coins or the like according to claim 1, wherein the hopper is floated and supported with respect to the roller. The payout device for coins or the like according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an elastic material is disposed on a peripheral surface of the roller.

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